List of Death Note chapters

Cover of the first tankōbon for Death Note, released in Japan by Shueisha on February 2, 2004.

This is a list of the chapters of the Japanese manga series Death Note, written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata. The individual chapters were originally serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump, from December 2003 to May 2006, with 108 chapters in all.[1] The series primarily focuses on high school student Light Yagami who decides to use a supernatural notebook called the "Death Note", which kills anyone whose name is written in it, to rid the world of evil.

Death Note has been compiled into twelve tankōbon in Japan, with the first being released on February 2, 2004, and the twelfth on July 4, 2006.[2][3] In addition to these, a guidebook for the manga, Death Note 13: How to Read, was also published on October 13, 2006. The guidebook has information about the series, with character profiles, creator interviews, and the pilot chapter that preceded Death Note.[4] A one-shot story special of Death Note was also released in February 2008, and is set two years after the original story's epilogue.[5] Death Note has been adapted into an anime with thirty-seven episodes produced by Nippon Television, and has three live action films.

The Death Note manga is licensed by Viz Media for North American distribution under their "Shonen Jump Advanced" imprint. Viz published the first volume on October 10, 2005, and the last on July 3, 2007.[6][7] A hardcover version of volume 1 was also released by Viz on September 16, 2008.[8] Viz published Death Note 13: How to Read on February 19, 2008,[9] and collected the Death Note volumes along with Death Note 13: How to Read into a box set on October 7, 2008.[10]

Volume list

Tsugumi Ohba stated that most of the chapter titles for Death Note were selected during the development of the thumbnails. He added that sometimes he created several choices and consulted his editor for the final selections. He and his editor often selected the final name of the following chapter while he made corrections to the one that he was currently working on. Ohba had selected the names of chapters 107 and 108 before the thumbnail stages of those chapters. After the selection of the name of Chapter 3, Ohba decided to have each chapter name consist of one Japanese word. Ohba said that around the time of the selection of the name of Chapter 4, he began to "have fun" with the chapter names and begin trying to avoid spoiling plot information through the selection of chapter names. Ohba intended for many of his titles, such as the title of Chapter 7, to have many meanings depending on how one approaches the name.[11] Ohba says that he often discussed titles with his editor when Ohba was unable to create a title that he liked, but that this did not necessarily mean that they would find a better title.[12]

Ohba decided to end the series at 108 chapters at the time he decided how Death Note would end, and he kept the 108 chapter limit in mind when he created thumbnails. When Kiyomi Takada was reintroduced to the plot, Ohba had already set the plot, chapter numbers, and the Yellow Box warehouse scene; therefore he encountered difficulty in having the series end in exactly 108 chapters.[13]

No.TitleJapanese releaseEnglish release
1Boredom
Taikutsu (退屈)		April 10, 2004[2]
ISBN 4-08-873621-4		October 10, 2005[6]
ISBN 978-1-4215-0168-0
  1. "Boredom" (退屈 "Taikutsu")
  2. "L" (L "Eru")
  3. "Family" (家族 "Kazoku")
  4. "Current" (電流 "Denryū")
  1. "Eyeballs" (眼球 "Gankyū")
  2. "Manipulation" (操作 "Sōsa")
  3. "Target" (標的 "Hyōteki")
When high school student Light Yagami finds a murder notebook called the "Death Note," able to kill any persons he recognizes by simply writing their names into it, Light begins mass murdering criminals with heart attacks in hopes to create a world free of evil and to eventually become its god. Light is soon visited by the Death Note's owner, a Shinigami named Ryuk, who allows Light to keep it but must stay near him. After it becomes apparent someone is killing a large number of people, Light anonymously receives the nickname "Kira." The Japanese National Police Agency, or "NPA," along with a mysterious detective known only as "L," decide to find and arrest him as a murderer. L realizes that Kira needs to know the faces of those he kills, causing a few Japanese investigators to stop aiding the search in fear of their lives. L later requests the FBI's help to investigate all NPA members involved in the Kira Case when he suspects one of them may be related to Kira. One FBI agent follows Soichiro Yagami, Light's father and one of Kira's investigators, and his family. Light discovers his tail, and uses the Death Note elaborately to learn the name of the agent.

Ohba used "Boredom" as the title of chapter 1 as that was the reason why Ryuk dropped his notebook and why Light picked it up. He had no hesitation in choosing "boredom" even though Light's motivation was not purely boredom. Ohba selected "L" for the second chapter because he wanted to establish L as the second main character; in addition the chapter was about L. Ohba added that this is the only chapter name consisting of a single romanized letter, "perhaps" stemming from a respect for L. "Family" was chosen because of the introductions of Soichiro and Sayu, Light's father and sister, respectively; the chapter reveals that the main Kira investigator is Soichiro. In addition "Family" was chosen because Light stated that he was willing to kill his family if he needed to. When selecting the name of Chapter 4, which is about the hiding of the Death Note, Ohba considered "Current," "Destruction," and "False Bottom." He believed "Current" was the best choice. Chapter 5, "Eyeballs," is about the Shinigami eye trade. Ohba believed that "Eyes" and "Trade" solely were not interesting names, and that "Eyeballs" "sounded cooler."[11] The name of Chapter 6, "Manipulation," originates from Light's experiments on the manipulation of Death Note victims. Sōsa written with different kanji means "investigation." Ohba had considered that name, but he believed that the name of the chapter needed to be focused on Light's actions, as the chapter had few scenes with investigators. Chapter 7 was named "Target" since Kiichiro Osoreda attempted to shoot Ryuk with a gun, and because Light was trying to uncover Raye Penber's real name.[11]
2Confluence
Gōryū (合流)		July 2, 2004[14]
ISBN 4-08-873631-1		November 8, 2005[15]
ISBN 978-1-4215-0169-7
  1. "Woman" (女 "Onna")
  2. "Slots" (穴 "Ana")
  3. "Confluence" (合流 "Gōryū")
  4. "One" (一 "Hitotsu")
  5. "God" (神 "Kami")
  1. "Countdown" (秒読 "Byōyomi")
  2. "Temptation" (誘惑 "Yūwaku")
  3. "Phone Call" (電話 "Denwa")
  4. "Handstand" (逆立 "Sakadachi")
Having seen FBI agent Raye Penber's face and learned his name, Light forces him to unknowingly kill every other agent with the Death Note, and he then kills him as well. After the deaths of the FBI agents who were assigned to investigate the NPA become known, only Soichiro Yagami and four other policemen continue working with L in the Kira investigation. L decides to allow them to meet him and collaborate directly, instead of through a computer. While the members of the Task Force meet in a hotel and discuss Kira's actions, Light visits the police station where the Task Force was stationed before. He happens to meet Raye Penber's fiancé, who wants to share what she has learned from Raye's death about the extent of Kira's power. With no policemen currently in the station, Light introduces himself to her, and learns how she discovered that Kira can kill by means other than a heart attack and can also control his victims' actions prior to their death. Light acknowledges her as a threat to Kira, and tricks her into revealing her name, Naomi Misora, to him and makes her commit suicide by writing it on a paper torn out of the Death Note. Around this time, L reviews the FBI agents' actions before their deaths and notices exceptionally odd behavior with Raye Penber. L is soon informed of Naomi's disappearance, and he then suspects the two families Raye investigated, deciding to install cameras and electronic bugs in their houses. Light immediately realizes their existence and convinces Ryuk to look for them all.

Chapter 8's name refers to Naomi Misora. The middle of the chapter shows pleasant scenes involving Raye and Naomi, and the chapter ends with Naomi crying. Ohba described it as a "feminine" chapter. "Slots" refers to the holes in the envelopes featured in the chapter. In addition it refers to L trying to find weaknesses in Light's plan.[11] "Confluence" refers to the Japanese investigators and L joining forces. "One" refers to several aspects of the chapter; L has become one of the members of the Japanese investigation team, L is thinking about one clue, and Light is wondering if there is one flaw in his plan as he notices Naomi on her way to the police station to reveal one revelation that she had about the case. "God" refers to Light's favorable outcome resulting from the coincidence that he and Naomi met each other. In the chapter Light discusses his luck, and Ohba had considered the title "Luck." Ohba believed that "I was lucky" was "such a boring phrase" and that the proof that "the other god is on my side" was a "much more fitting" phrase, so he chose "God" as the title. "Countdown" was chosen since Light was counting down the seconds until Naomi would reach the NPA headquarters, and he was counting down the seconds until Naomi's death was triggered. Ohba changed the Japanese spelling for the chapter "Temptation" so the title would not spoil the chapter's contents. Ohba wanted the telephone to be an important element in the chapter "Phone Call." Ohba added the scenes with Ukita answering the telephone because he had chosen the chapter title; in addition he included the telephone call from Naomi's mother to the task force. Ohba said that the chapter title "Handstand" was the one that he had "the most fun coming up with" and one of his three most favorite chapter titles.[16]
3Hard Run
Gekisō (激走)		September 3, 2004[17]
ISBN 4-08-873652-4		January 3, 2006[18]
ISBN 978-1-4215-0170-3
  1. "Trash" (芥 "Gomi")
  2. "Gaze" (視線 "Shisen")
  3. "Humiliation" (屈辱 "Kutsujoku")
  4. "First Move" (先手 "Sente")
  5. "Duplicity" (裏腹 "Urahara")
  1. "Misfortune" (不幸 "Fukō")
  2. "Hard Run" (激走 "Gekisō")
  3. "Shield" (盾 "Tate")
  4. "Fool" (馬鹿 "Baka")
In order to keep working, Light hides a LCD Mini Television in a bag of chips to see criminals while he writes their names acting as if he is studying. L decides to remove the cameras, but remains surprised with Light's acting. Some time later, Light enters into the Toho University, where he meets L, who reveals his own identity in order to study Light's reactions. L reveals to Light that he suspects he is Kira, which forces Light to ally with him to prove he is innocent. Soon the channel Sakura TV airs a video from a person with Kira's powers telling people to stop bothering Kira by killing the anti-Kira commentators. Soichiro manages to enter Sakura TV's building with an armored car without being seen, and stops the broadcast. Light notes that the one who made the tapes is an ally for him and that has obtained the shinigami's eyes, allowing him to see anybody's real name and lifespan. After realizing there is another Kira, L requests Light to join them to stop the second Kira.

Ohba said that he often struggled while selecting chapter names, but for chapters 15 through 23 he had the titles selected early; he said that he was "on a roll" during that time. The chapter name "Gaze" was chosen because of L's gaze depicted in the last two pages of the chapter. Ohba added that the chapter titles "Gaze" and "Humiliation" needed no explanation. The chapter name "First Move" was selected since, in the scenario depicted in the chapter, the person who makes the first move wins. While Light wins the tennis match and invites L to drink tea, L, in Ohba's words, "makes the first move" as he needs to tell Light something before they drink tea. In the chapter "Duplicity," both sides of the conflict are trying to discover what the other side is really thinking. The chapter title "Misfortune" refers to Ryuk's statement about how humans who use the Death Note always face misfortune; the statement resurfaces on several occasions in Death Note. In addition Light believes that there can be some people who use the Death Note who are fortunate. In regard to "Hard Run," Ohba said "What else could I have used for the chapter?" In regard to "Shield" Ohba chose the title because the scene depicting the police officers blockading the Sakura TV offices "looks so great." When discussing "Fool," Ohba said "Death Note finally gets a heroine in this chapter and she's called a "fool"... How rude. But that's just Death Note for you."[16]
4Love
Koigokoro (恋心)		November 11, 2004[19]
ISBN 4-08-873671-0		March 7, 2006[20]
ISBN 978-1-4215-0331-8
  1. "Reversal" (転倒 "Tentō")
  2. "Love" (恋心 "Koigokoro")
  3. "Judgement" (判定 "Hantei")
  4. "Weapon" (武器 "Buki")
  5. "Bomb" (爆弾 "Bakudan")
  1. "Easy" (簡単 "Kantan")
  2. "Gamble" (賭 "Kake")
  3. "Removal" (移動 "Idō")
  4. "Imprisonment" (投身 "Tōshin")
Light joins L's investigation in order to find the second Kira before them. L makes Light write a message writing as if he were Kira so as the 2nd will respond. The 2nd Kira, a popular idol named Misa Amane, replies saying that she wants to meet Kira, giving instructions about the place where they can meet. Light and officer Touta Matsuda go to investigate such place, and Misa discovers Light is Kira as the exchanged Shinigami's eyes cannot see the lifespan from Death Notes' owners. Misa finds Light's house and visits him, confessing she is the 2nd Kira, and wants to aid him in his work. As Misa is in love with him, Light accepts her help but tells her to keep their relationship in secret. Some days later, Misa finds L and Light talking in the university, and sees L's real name. Before Light can ask Misa about L's name, Misa is arrested as she is suspected of being the 2nd Kira. Misa's Shinigami, Rem, makes Misa forfeit her ownership from the Death Note causing her to lose her memories concerning the Death Note. As Rem forces Light to save Misa, Light gives him his Death Note and requests L to be imprisoned saying that he is possibly under Kira's control.

The chapter title "Reversal" refers to L falling out of his chair; it does not refer to, in Ohba's words, "how the story would turn upside down based on new revelations."[16] The chapter title "Love" refers to Gelus's feelings towards Misa, Misa's feelings towards Kira, and the stalker's feelings towards Misa. Ohba added that technically the method of forcing a Shinigami to die is not making one infatuated with a human, but Ohba said that he "wanted to express it that way in dialogue."[16] The title "Judgment" refers to how the two Death Note owners discover one another and how Misa confirms that Kira is Light. In the chapter "Weapon" Light refers to Misa as a "weapon"; Light only sees Misa as a tool, but Misa accepts Light's attitude towards her. In regard to the chapter title "Bomb," Ohba said that keeping Misa around is "like holding on to a bomb" since Misa knows Light's true identity."[12] In addition Ohba said that Rem's "explosive" declaration that she will kill Light if Light kills Misa "makes Misa's existence even more dangerous."[12] The title "Easy" refers to the dialog from Light stating "L will die... This easily..." Ohba said that when he wrote the line he thought "What? This easily?!", so the title also refers to Ohba's thoughts.[12] Ohba added that his favorite moment in the chapter was when Rem declares that she will kill L immediately after L says that Light is his first friend. The title "Gamble" refers to Light's decision to kill Ryuga while Light is not 100% sure that Ryuga is L and L's decision to appear in front of Light at the university. "Movement" refers to the relocation of Misa as she is arrested and imprisoned and the Death Note's movement from Misa to Light. In regard to the title "Imprisonment" Ohba believed that the title did not "fit that well."[12] Ohba added that he "probably" thought "Well, he's being imprisoned. Should be fine."[12]
5Whiteout
Hakushi (白紙)		February 4, 2005[21]
ISBN 4-08-873774-1		May 2, 2006[22]
ISBN 978-1-4215-0626-5
  1. "Whiteout" (白紙 "Hakushi")
  2. "Father and Son" (親子 "Oyako")
  3. "Eight" (八人 "Hachinin")
  4. "Strike" (打撃 "Dageki")
  5. "Separation" (離別 "Ribetsu")
  1. "Allies" (仲間 "Nakama")
  2. "Matsuda" (松田)
  3. "Heaven" (天国 "Tengoku")
  4. "Black" (黒 "Kuro")
After a week in prison Light forfeits his ownership from the Death Note to lose his memories. As the press announces that Kira is still killing people, L decides to free Light and Misa, but keeps Light handcuffed. While working with L, Light discovers that the new Kira is from Yotsuba Corporations, with one of their members possessing the Death Note and being along with Rem. Matsuda spies a meeting from them, but when he hears that one of them is Kira, he is discovered by them. Matsuda acts as Misa's manager and tells the Yotsuba members that he just wants them to feature Misa in their adverts. They believe him and during a party to celebrate such assignment, a drunk Matsuda jumps from Yotsuba's building to fake his death with the other officers' help. Allied with L, a professional burglar known as Wedy installs cameras in Yotsuba's building while a con man, Aiber, contacts the Yotsuba members acting as their ally to know more about them.

"Whiteout" refers to Light losing his memory. Ohba said retrospectively that it was "a bad title" since it reveals part of the plot.[12] He added that while "it's not like it's the end of the world" if the title reveals some of the plot, the fact "kind of takes away some of the fun."[12] "Father and Son" refers to Light and Soichiro. Ohba said that he had trouble creating some of the chapter names for the group of chapters including "Father and Son" in contrast with his ease creating the names of the chapters including Chapter 17. He retrospectively wondered if "perhaps" he did not put enough thought into the chapter names.[12] "Eight" refers to the eight Yotsuba members. Ohba added that he worked especially hard to try to find a good chapter title since "Eight" was printed with color pages in Weekly Shonen Jump. "Strike" refers to Light and L hitting one another; Ohba wondered who would "imagine" that the title referred to the action and commented "I like these kinds of titles."[12] "Separation" refers to the end of the effort sharing between the National Police Agency and the Japanese task force. Ohba added that he believed that he had "too much fun" with the previous two titles, so he went "back into serious mode" for Chapter 39.[12] "Allies" refers to the team gaining Aiber and Wedy as allies and losing Aizawa as an ally; Ohba described the title as "ironic."[12] "Matsuda" received its name as, in Ohba's words, the chapter featured "Matsuda running around."[12] Ohba added that when the editor saw the planned title name "Matsuda," the editor laughed and then gave the okay.[12] In regard to "Heaven" Ohba said that when a person sees the title, he or she assumes that someone is going to die. Ohba added that he was "going for that a little bit" and that the title name also refers to Matsuda's feelings after he survives an incident and how Misa's room is like "heaven." "Black" refers to the question of whether the Yotsuba are guilty and the black suits and ties of the remaining seven members.[12]
6Give-and-Take
Kōkan (交換)		April 4, 2005[23]
ISBN 4-08-873795-4		July 5, 2006[24]
ISBN 978-1-4215-0627-2
  1. "Successor" (後継 "Atotsugi")
  2. "Crazy" (無茶 "Mucha")
  3. "Ill-Suited" (不向 "Fumuki")
  4. "Impertinence" (先走 "Sakibashiri")
  5. "Give-and-Take" (交換 "Kōkan")
  1. "Potted Plant" (植木 "Ueki")
  2. "Yotsuba" (四葉)
  3. "Misunderstanding" (誤認 "Gonin")
  4. "Split-Second" (寸止 "Sundome")
With the evidence presented by Aiber and Wedy, the Kira Investigation Team discovers that one of the seven members from Yotsuba is the new Kira. L convinces the team to avoid arresting them until discovering their powers, and requests Misa to go their building to investigate who is Kira. Rem tells Misa about her and Light's previous identities as Kira and helps her to make Yotsuba's Kyosuke Higuchi confess he is the new one. Allied with other Yotsuba members, Light designs a plan to make Higuchi watch a TV program in which Matsuda is supposed to reveal Kira's identity. When Higuchi goes to kill Matsuda, the Investigation Team is able to ambush and arrest him.

"Successor" refers to L's question to Light regarding whether he will be the successor to L. L already knows that, if Light is Kira, Light will try to kill L and be his successor. "Crazy" refers to how L is, in Ohba's words, "crazy and forceful in this chapter."[25] "Ill-Suited" refers to Mogi's comment about not being well-suited to his new role. While Ohba had considered making the chapter title a reference to the reunion between Misa and Rem, Ohba instead opted for "Ill-Suited" as he believed it was more humorous. "Impertinence" refers to the fact that Rem reveals some secrets early; Rem knows that Light has a plan, and she tells Misa which Yotsuba member has the Death Note. "Give-and-Take" refers to Higuchi and Misa trading e-mail addresses, Misa and Nori trading clothes, the agreement stating that Misa will marry Higuchi if Higuchi is Kira, and Misa's recording of Higuchi's statements. Ohba said that the title "Potted Plant" was used to "mess with the fans."[25] Ohba retrospectively wondered why his editor approved the title. Ohba added that he "liked this title."[25] "Yotsuba" refers to Namikawa's explanation about how a large company such as Yotsuba is to behave. "Misunderstanding" refers to Light and L seeing Higuchi write a name in a notebook and not realizing that it is the method of killing people. "Split-Second" mostly refers to Watari preventing Higuchi from committing suicide, while it also refers to Soichiro jumping in front of Wedy to take Higuchi's bullet.[25]
7Zero
Zero (零)		July 4, 2005 [26]
ISBN 4-08-873830-6		September 5, 2006[27]
ISBN 978-1-4215-0628-9
  1. "Scream" (悲鳴 "Himei")
  2. "Inside" (中 "Naka")
  3. "Creation" (創造 "Sōzō")
  4. "Embrace" (抱擁 "Hōyō")
  5. "Two Choices" (二択 "Nitaku")
  1. "Feelings Within" (胸中 "Kyōchū")
  2. "Zero" (零 "Zero")
  3. "Kidnapping" (誘拐 "Yūkai")
  4. "Number Two" (二番 "Niban")
"Scream" refers to the screams from Light, Mogi, and Soichiro. Light's reason for screamining is different from the reasons of the other two, since he regains his memories from the Death Note. The main aspect that the chapter "Inside" refers to is the piece of the Death Note inside of Light's watch. In addition "Inside" refers to a Death Note being underground, a letter being inside that Death Note, and the fake rules being inside the other notebook; the reader is not supposed to be aware of those aspects when he or she starts reading the chapter. "Creation" refers to a piece of dialog from Light that states "The god of the world creates the rules." "Embrace" refers to Misa hugging the notebook, Ryuk, and then Light in that order. Ryuk says "all this girl does is hug things..." The chapter "Two Choices" refers to Rem's decision of whether to save Misa and die or let Misa be captured and put to death. "Feelings Within" mostly refers to L's last internal monologue, while it also refers to Light's emotions. Ohba stated that people often asked him what L was trying to say, and that Ohba refused to answer the question and responded by saying that Death Note is about readers discovering their own conclusions about the work. Ohba believed that some things feel more exciting if one does not definitively know every aspect of them. "Zero" refers to the timer reaching zero and confirming L's death. It also refers to Ohba's intention to let the readers and himself understand that the Mello and Near arc is, in Ohba's words, "starting from zero."[25] "Kidnapping" refers to the kidnappings of Kanichi Takimura and Sayu Yagami. Ohba said that he planned to "play it straight" as this was the first chapter of the Mello and Near arc.[28] "Number Two" refers to the chapter being the second Mello and Near arc chapter and the fact that Mello is in second place, with Near ahead of him.[28]
8Target
Mato (的)		September 2, 2005[29]
ISBN 4-08-873852-7		November 7, 2006[30]
ISBN 978-1-4215-0629-6
  1. "Decision" (決断 "Ketsudan")
  2. "Target" (的 "Mato")
  3. "Right Angle" (直角 "Chokkaku")
  4. "Responsibility" (責任 "Sekinin")
  5. "Death" (死亡 "Shibō")
  1. "Button" (釦 "Botan")
  2. "Discovery" (発見 "Hakken")
  3. "Flight" (飛翔 "Hishō")
  4. "Tremble" (身震 "Miburui")
"Decision" refers to Soichiro's decision to go to Los Angeles, his announcement stating that he will make all of the decisions, and his intention to take responsibility for his decisions. "Target" refers to Mello's intentions to take possession of the notebook, the aircraft going off course, and Near playing with darts. "Right Angle" refers to the fact that the door used to make the trade for the book in exchange for the hostage turns ninety degrees. Ohba added that he was "messing with the readers a little bit." "Responsibility" refers to Soichiro taking responsibility for the loss of the Death Note, the irresponsibility of Sidoh losing his notebook, and Ryuk's responsibility for stealing the notebook that Sidoh owned. The chapter name also refers to the line at the end "That's so irresponsible." "Death" refers to the discussion of Rem's death at the beginning of the chapter and the deaths of the SPK members. "Button" refers to the button on the mobile phone that Soichiro presses in the beginning of the chapter, the keyboard keys that Matsuda presses, and the button to launch a nuclear weapon. Ohba added that he did not know that there was a kanji character that meant "button." "Discovery" refers to the revealing of the identity of the owner of the Death Note. "Flight" refers to the helmets flying around in the chapter; Ohba added that he "got readers all excited with this title" as the readers did not realize that the only items flying around were helmets.[28] "Tremble" refers to two the instances where Sidoh trembles; one was when he feels frightened by Mello, and one when he feels frightened by the prospect of Shinigami world punishments.[28]
9Contact
Sesshoku (接触)		December 2, 2005[31]
ISBN 4-08-873887-X		January 2, 2007[32]
ISBN 978-1-4215-0630-2
  1. "Contact" (接触 "Sesshoku")
  2. "Verification" (確認 "Kakunin")
  3. "Cornered" (背水 "Haisui")
  4. "A Fine Performance" (熱演 "Netsuen")
  5. "Acknowledgement" (認知 "Ninchi")
  1. "Greetings" (挨拶 "Aisatsu")
  2. "Use" (利用 "Riyō")
  3. "Prediction" (予測 "Yosoku")
  4. "Lies" (白々 "Shirajira")
"Contact" refers to Light and Ryuk's contact with the members of the task force and Sayu's contact with sunlight. "Verification" refers to the checking and verification of battle plans; the title's name mainly applies to the last two pages. "Cornered" refers to the positions that Mello and Soichiro are in. Ohba added that if there was a kanji character that meant "mano a mano," he would have used that character. In regard to "A Fine Performance" Ohba refused to say whether the title refers to Jose pretending to be dead or Light crying at his father's deathbed. Ohba added that if Light's crying was an act, he does not believe that it is "one hundred percent acting."[28] "Acknowledgement" refers to the United States Government accepting Kira and Light's acknowledgment that he knows that killing people is morally wrong. Ohba added that the U.S. Government's act is "probably more like "recognizing" than "accepting."" "Greetings" refers to a line by Near that states "Welcome, Mello." Ohba said that he did not remember the development process regarding the line well, but that he believed that the line originally was "Welcome Home, Mello."[28] "Use" may refer to the question of whether Near is using Mello, whether Light is using the investigation team as bait for Mello and Near, whether Demegawa is using Sakura TV to shift public opinion in favor of supporting Kira, or all of the above. "Prediction" refers to predictions made by Light and Near. Light predicts that Mello will try to contact one of the task force members. Near predicts that the 13-day rule is false and that the original task force members have met the original L. Ohba said that he made many of the predictions correct in order to make the plot move forward; Ohba reasoned that the story would not "work as well" if the predictions were wrong.[33] "Lies" refers to the first time that a character acknowledges verbally that Light is lying. In the chapter, in their conversations Light and Near are both trying to uncover the truth about one another.[33]
10Deletion
Sakujo (削除)		February 3, 2006[34]
ISBN 4-08-874018-1		March 6, 2007[35]
ISBN 978-1-4215-1155-9
  1. "Clean-Up" (掃除 "Sōji")
  2. "Warning" (通告 "Tsūkoku")
  3. "Himself" (自分 "Jibun")
  4. "Delete" (削除 "Sakujo")
  5. "Coincidence" (偶然 "Gūzen")
  1. "Election" (当選 "Tōsen")
  2. "Japan" (日本 "Nihon")
  3. "Tomorrow" (明日 "Ashita")
  4. "Conversation" (会話 "Kaiwa")
"Clean-Up" refers to the cleanup of the money distributed to the Kira worshipers and the cleanup of the Kira worshipers. "Warning" alludes to the contact from Aizawa to Near, from Light to Misa, from Misa to Mikami, and other contacts. "Himself" refers to Near learning about Soichiro's plans to kill Kira and himself and to Aizawa acting on his own. "Delete" refers to the word "delete," which Mikami uses a lot. Ohba said that the word "reveals what kind of character Mikami is."[33] "Coincidence" is the chapter about Mikami's past. Ohba explained that so many coincidences happened to Mikami that he refused to believe that they were simply coincidences. Ohba said "To put it coldly, he misunderstands everything."[33] "Election" refers to the selection of Takada as Demegawa's replacement. Ohba added that if one wanted to "force" another meaning to the title, "Election" could refer to Misa's approval of Mogi as her cook.[33] "Japan" refers to the fact that the remaining characters who are outside Japan are traveling to Japan to battle each other there. Ohba believed that, at the time, "it seems like I stopped messing around with the title choices at this point and just went with the obvious."[33] Ohba said that "Tomorrow" has no "deep meaning" and that it simply refers to the scene in the chapter's final page, when Light asks Takada if she can see him the following day.[33] "Conversation" refers to the first conversation between Light and Mikami. Ohba added "I just thought it was great" how Light and Mikami were able to communicate with one another during the secret meeting with Takada, even though the task force was monitoring the meeting.[33] Ohba added that the Death Note series has a lot of conversation.[33]
11Kindred Spirits
Dōshin (同心)		May 2, 2006[36]
ISBN 4-08-874041-6		May 1, 2007[37]
ISBN 978-1-4215-1178-8
  1. "Kindred Spirits" (同心 "Dōshin")
  2. "Preview" (予告 "Yokoku")
  3. "Standstill" (停止 "Teishi")
  4. "Night" (夜 "Yoru")
  5. "Decision" (決定 "Kettei")
  1. "Outside" (外 "Soto")
  2. "Convinced" (納得 "Nattoku")
  3. "Meanwhile" (一方 "Ippō")
  4. "Miscellaneous" (色々 "Iroiro")
  5. "Everybody" (全員 "Zen'in")
Ohba said that the title "Kindred Spirits" represents how Light and Near want to fight to see who is the best and to settle the conflict once and for all.[33] "Preview" refers to Near's plan; Near does not intend to kill L-Kira and X-Kira and see if people stop dying, as he plans to instead trick Kira into writing into a false notebook and arrest Kira. "Standstill" refers to Mogi preventing Misa from saying something that could result in her death, Lidner preventing Misa from attacking Takada, and Near pausing footage of Mikami on his display monitors. In regard to the title "Night," Ohba debated whether the chapter title would refer to Mikami being on the train or to Misa and Takada's dinner. Since he believed that the dinner scenes were "more interesting," Ohba had the title refer to the dinner. In regard to the dinner scene he created some other title choices such as "Battle," "Cat Fight," Easy Win," and "Rivals in Love." Ohba believed that these titles were "too obvious," so he selected "Night" as the dinner scene takes place at night.[33] "Decision" refers to Near's group deciding that Mikami is X-Kira after seeing him use a Death Note and talking about Shinigami. In addition they decide that Light is very popular with women. "Outside" refers to Near's statement to Aizawa saying that Aizawa is not a part of the battle, but instead looking from the outside. In addition the statement is relayed over a public telephone, which is on the outside. The title name "Convinced" refers to how both sides are going forward with their plans and are convinced that they are taking the morally correct choices. The word "convinced" appears on the first page of the chapter. The title "Meanwhile" refers to Gevanni's actions. Ohba stated that the title meant "Meanwhile, Gevanni was..."[38] Eight pages in "Miscellaneous" have no dialog. The development of the pages, which took place from January 7 to January 22, was, as stated by Ohba, "something very rare in Death Note."[38] Ohba added that he believed that readers "were grateful" of the lack of dialog; Ohba added that all of the characters featured in the pages "are very busy" during that time.[38] "Everybody" refers to the fact that all of the key characters have been assembled for the final conflict. One of the conditions of the planned meeting between two of the factions is that all of the members of both sides have to appear. In addition Mello re-appears, so all of the key characters have been assembled.[38]
12Finis
Kan (完)		July 4, 2006[3]
ISBN 4-08-874131-5		July 3, 2007[7]
ISBN 978-1-4215-1327-0
  1. "The Two" (二人 "Futari")
  2. "Face to Face" (対面 "Taimen")
  3. "Inducement" (誘導 "Yūdō")
  4. "Patience" (我慢 "Gaman")
  5. "Declaration" (宣言 "Sengen")
  1. "The Answer" (答 "Kotae")
  2. "Impossible" (無理 "Muri")
  3. "Intent to Kill" (殺意 "Satsui")
  4. "Curtain" (幕 "Maku")
  5. "Finis" (完 "Kan")
"Two" refers to the deaths of Mello and Takada. In addition it refers to the fact that Light and Mikami wrote down Takada's name at almost the same time, which is something that the reader does not discover until later. "Face to Face" refers to the meeting between Light and Near Ohba wanted to use "Mask," but he did not want to reveal the fact that Near was wearing a mask. At that point Ohba was wondering if readers were trying to guess the plots of the upcoming chapters based on the names of the upcoming chapters in the previews in Weekly Shonen Jump. In "Inducement," the plans of both sides are trying to induce Mikami into appearing, and they are trying to induce one another to fall for each other's plan. The name "Patience" refers to Light holding in his laughter and waiting until 35 seconds have passed after the writing down of the names of the Japanese task force and SPK members before declaring victory. In addition Matsuda and other participants are asked not to move while the 40 seconds are passing. In the chapter "Declaration," Light declares victory and Near declares that Light is Kira. Ohba said that Near's statement "I owe this to Mello" could also be a declaration. "Answer" refers to Near's explanation about how he discovered Light's true plan and Light's admission that he is Kira. Ohba said that he understood that Near's rationale is "very long" and that it is likely that many readers struggled to comprehend it. Ohba added that he believed that "Answer" was an appropriate title since Light, who previously told himself that he would never admit to being Kira, admits to being Kira with, in Ohba's words, a ""Yeah, I'm Kira. Got a problem with it?" attitude."[38] "Impossible" refers to the fact that it is not possible for Light to change the attitudes and feelings of Near and the other people with his speech; Ohba said that Light is trying to buy time with a plan that he knows will not succeed. "Intent to Kill" refers to Light trying to kill Near, Matsuda trying to kill Light, and Light pleading for someone to kill Near. Regarding "Curtain," Ohba explained that he was trying to represent a curtain with the final two pages being entirely colored black. Ohba added that the title "Nothingness" would reveal too much, and that he already used the word "Black" for Chapter 43. While Ohba also considered the word "Black Curtain," in Japanese the word refers to a person behind the scenes orchestrating the events, and Ohba felt it would not be good to inadvertently make readers believe that a new character was appearing. In the end Ohba chose "Curtain" for the title of the second to last chapter.[38]

The final chapter was named "Finis," In regard to the chapter's name, Ohba said "no explanation needed: the end."[38] The chapter number, 108, refers to the earthly desires in Buddhism. When creating the plot of the final chapter, Ohba first thought of the idea of Kira worshipers surrounding Kira's grave; Ohba reasoned that a group of Kira worshipers would exist even if Kira died. Ohba believed that having Light's death be definitively known to the world would "cause problems,"[13] and he also recalls discussing how "distasteful" it would be for the readers to see the Yagami family grave.[13] As Ohba and his editor decided on how to end the series in late 2005, Ohba and his editor developed the concept of the line of Kira worshipers.[13] Ohba said that he made Aizawa the chief of the NPA because he did not want to create a new character for the role, and he decided that Aizawa would be the best choice among the surviving task force members. Ohba added that Aizawa was the best choice since he had connections to the NPA and Near and that Aizawa becoming the chief would have been "unimaginable" earlier in Death Note. Ohba explained that Mogi would have been too biased to Near.[39] In regard to Matsuda's theories, Ohba said that he did not decide whether they are right or wrong; he asked readers to decide for themselves whether Matsuda's theories were correct. The only definitive statement Ohba made about the theories is that Light ordered Mikami to not take the Death Note out until the end. Ohba explained that Yamamoto, a character who Matsuda teases, was added at the thumbnail stage and has no significance; Ohba added him to show Matsuda "bossing someone around." (While there may not be significance in his use, Yamamoto was first seen in volume 1 chapter 2 as Light's best friend. He was seen again in volume 2, when Light suggests he send him a New Years card, but he didn't appear until this chapter). Regarding the Kira worshipers, Ohba said that he would have been fine having Light simply die "in his pathetic state," but Ohba decided to "redeem" Light somewhat by illustrating that, despite the fact that Light is dead, he becomes a god for a group of people. Ohba explained that in Death Note Light wants to become a living god and therefore he would not be happy with dying; he added "So there's a little irony in there too." Ohba explained that the fact that the scene goes back and forth with the part shows how he loved Light as a character, even though L was Ohba's favorite.[40]

Obata recalled hearing from the editor that a scene in the final chapter will feature Kira worshipers surrounding Light's grave. Obata originally believed that the concept was "a little lacking," but when he saw the thumbnails he believed they looked good, and he felt excited when he drew the art for the chapter.[13] Obata said that he wanted to "set the mood" for the scene, so he had the Kira worshipers wear hoods. Light's name could have some reference here, as they are worshipping god at night under the light of the moon.[13] Obata selected the apple to use as the object for the cover page of "Finis," as the apple was used as an important symbol in Death Note and Obata believed that featuring the apple was "the only way to go."[39] The final set of chapter covers feature close-ups of objects, and so the cover page of "Finis" focused on the apple, with the last rule of Death Note being 'Once dead, they can never come back to life.' [39]

References

  1. ↑ 2004年新年1号 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on 2003-12-21. Retrieved 2009-09-01.
  2. 1 2 "Death Note 1" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  3. 1 2 "Death Note 12" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  4. ↑ "Death Note How To Read 13" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved 2008-06-13.
  5. ↑ "Death Note Manga to Return with One-Shot Story in Japan". Anime News Network. 2008-02-03. Retrieved 2009-06-07.
  6. 1 2 "Death Note, Vol. 1". Viz Media. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  7. 1 2 "Death Note, Vol. 12". Viz Media. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  8. ↑ "Death Note , Vol. 1 (Collector's Edition)". Viz Media. Retrieved 2008-06-13.
  9. ↑ "Death Note 13: How to Read". Viz Media. Retrieved 2008-06-13.
  10. ↑ "Death Note (Box Set)". Viz Media. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Ohba, Tsugumi and Takeshi Obata. "The Origins of All 108 Chapter Titles." Death Note: How to Read 13. Viz Media. 76.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Ohba, Tsugumi and Takeshi Obata. "The Origins of All 108 Chapter Titles." Death Note: How to Read 13. Viz Media. 78.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Ohba, Tsugumi and Takeshi Obata. "The 13 Truths About Chapter 108." Death Note: How to Read 13. Viz Media. 196.
  14. ↑ "Death Note 2" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  15. ↑ "Death Note, Vol. 2". Viz Media. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  16. 1 2 3 4 Ohba, Tsugumi and Takeshi Obata. "The Origins of All 108 Chapter Titles." Death Note: How to Read 13. Viz Media. 77.
  17. ↑ "Death Note 3" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  18. ↑ "Death Note, Vol. 3". Viz Media. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  19. ↑ "Death Note 4" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  20. ↑ "Death Note, Vol. 4". Viz Media. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  21. ↑ "Death Note 5" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  22. ↑ "Death Note, Vol. 5". Viz Media. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  23. ↑ "Death Note 6" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  24. ↑ "Death Note, Vol. 6". Viz Media. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  25. 1 2 3 4 5 Ohba, Tsugumi and Takeshi Obata. "The Origins of All 108 Chapter Titles." Death Note: How to Read 13. Viz Media. 79.
  26. ↑ "Death Note 7" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  27. ↑ "Death Note, Vol. 7". Viz Media. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  28. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Ohba, Tsugumi and Takeshi Obata. "The Origins of All 108 Chapter Titles." Death Note: How to Read 13. Viz Media. 80.
  29. ↑ "Death Note 8" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  30. ↑ "Death Note, Vol. 8". Viz Media. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  31. ↑ "Death Note 9" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  32. ↑ "Death Note, Vol. 9". Viz Media. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  33. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Ohba, Tsugumi and Takeshi Obata. "The Origins of All 108 Chapter Titles." Death Note: How to Read 13. Viz Media. 81.
  34. ↑ "Death Note 10" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  35. ↑ "Death Note, Vol. 10". Viz Media. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  36. ↑ "Death Note 11" (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  37. ↑ "Death Note, Vol. 11". Viz Media. Retrieved 2008-06-12.
  38. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Ohba, Tsugumi and Takeshi Obata. "The Origins of All 108 Chapter Titles." Death Note: How to Read 13. Viz Media. 82.
  39. 1 2 3 Ohba, Tsugumi and Takeshi Obata. "The 13 Truths About Chapter 108." Death Note: How to Read 13. Viz Media. 197.
  40. ↑ Ohba, Tsugumi and Takeshi Obata. "The 13 Truths About Chapter 108." Death Note: How to Read 13. Viz Media. 198.
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